Title Canadians Brace Themselves Against Trump Tariffs

Canadians have been hard-hit by President Donald Trump's latest tariff order on Canadian steel, causing business owners like Shale Tobe to re-evaluate their spending strategies.

They're like brothers to us, said Tobe, referring to U.S. steel firms with whom he frequently interacts in his business.

Trump has threatened a blanket 25% tariff on all Canadian imports and also complained about trade deficits. He has separately imposed a 25% tariff on worldwide steel and aluminum imports that will significantly impact Canada if implemented. Robert Johnson, a professor at the University of Toronto, suggests U.S. customers would feel the burden almost immediately because the U.S. doesn't have the domestic capacity to support its entire needs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum as entirely unjustified but hasn't announced retaliatory measures yet. Instead, he is focused on prioritizing averting US tariffs while positioning Canada for a fundamentally altered relationship with its southern neighbor over the long term. Johnson suggests that Canadians should pivot to domestic markets and expand trade with foreign markets.

Tobe's company still relies heavily on U.S.-based suppliers despite no longer exporting directly there. He worries about potential threats from Trump and his allies suggesting annexation of Canada. Tobe emphasizes the need for a stronger dependence on Canadian businesses.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.